Major General Cheryl Pearce
Major General Cheryl Pearce, AM, recently completed her tenure as Force Commander, United Nations Forces in Cyprus, an appointment she held since January 2019.
Major General Pearce graduated from the Officer Cadet School Portsea in December 1985, commissioning into the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police. Major General Pearce’s regimental service includes command appointments within both the operational and domestic environment. During the period 2003 to 2006 Major General Pearce commanded the Defence Police Training Centre (2003) and 1st Military Police Battalion (2004-2006) and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional Service during her four-year command tenure. Major General Pearce was also appointed as Commandant Australian Defence Force Academy during the period 2017-2018.
Staff appointments include experience within Headquarters 1st Brigade, G3 Branch Land Headquarters, Staff Officer Commandant Australian Defence Force Academy, Provost Marshal-Army, Directing Staff Australian Command and Staff College, Director Network Centric Warfare Capability Development Group, Director Special Operation Support and Chief of Staff Army Headquarters.
Major General Pearce attended the Australian Command and Staff College in 2001 and Higher Defence College in 2013. Her post-graduate qualifications include a Graduate Diploma of Management in Defence Studies from the University of Canberra, Masters of Intelligence, Policing and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University and a Masters of Arts (Defence Studies) from Deakin University.
Major General Pearce’s operational experience includes working as part of the United Nations in East Timor (2002) where she was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for bravery. She was also appointed as the Commander Task Group Afghanistan (2016) where she received a Commendation for Distinguished Service.
Major General Pearce has a partner Paul and two daughters Michallie and Maddison.
Updated: 24 Jun 2021